Seiko Solar Chronograph SSC017 Review & Complete Guide
Seiko is a brand that has a lot to offer. And as the popularity of Seiko has grown, so has its collection of timepieces.
Today, Seiko has a lot to offer everyone, regardless of budget, taste, and preference. Regardless if you like dress watches, sports watches, dive watches, or anything in between, Seiko has it.
In this article, we are looking closer at one of their timepieces, specifically the Seiko Solar Chronograph SSC017. On the surface, this may look just like any other chronograph dive watch, but it also has some clever technology, which is solar technology. And if you are not familiar with it, we’ll go into detail about this further on. But still, it is interesting to see a watch that, on the surface looks like a classic and sporty dive watch with a chronograph function, and then learn that it also offers some very interesting technology.
Seiko Solar Chronograph SSC017 Review
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The Seiko Solar Chronograph SSC017 is an entry-level dive watch from Seiko. This watch is offered at an affordable price, but, like most Seiko watches, still offers great value for the money.
It is interesting to see that this particular dive watch is also equipped with a chronograph function, making it even sportier and unique. As an additional touch, it features blue accents, which I think is a good design choice by Seiko considering most dive watches on the market are monochrome, which can get quite boring. In a world full of monochrome dive watches, this one certainly stands out.
Without further ado, in this article, we are reviewing and looking closer at the Seiko Solar Chronograph SSC017.
Seiko SSC017 case
First off, there’s no denying that this is a rather hefty watch. It’s not insanely large, but it does have some heft to it and has a bulky appearance, which is further boosted by the addition of chronograph pushers and also crown guards.
The watch is presented with a stainless steel case with a diameter of 43mm. The actual case design is relatively clean and is more or less what you associate a dive watch with. What it does have, however, is a surprisingly high finish considering its price. The lugs are satin-finished on the top, and the sides of the lugs have polished bevels. As a contrast, the sides of the case are polished too.
A dive watch needs to have good water resistance, and the SSC017 has just that. The watch offers a water resistance of 200m/660 feet which makes it suitable for most water activities. In addition, it is also ISO 6425 certified. In other words, this is a dive watch you can rely on underwater.
Positioned at 3 o’clock, we have the crown – of course, screw-down. The crown has a blue line on it to match the theme of the watch. In turn, it sits protected between crown guards, and on each side of the crown guards, we have the chronograph pushers. The chronograph pushers are screw-down to ensure that you don’t accidentally press them underwater.
If you turn the watch around, you’ll find it has a solid screw-down case back. It has Seiko’s iconic tsunami logo stampede it.
A dive watt also needs a unidirectional rotating bezel for measuring the elapsed time, and of course, we find one on this watch too. The bezel is quite broad and has ridges/notches to improve the grip and make it easier to operate.
It has an aluminum insert which is black, but as a nice touch, the first 15 minutes on the bezel is painted blue. This detail really does a lot to the appearance and keeps it from being monochrome and boring. The markers are made in silver, and at 12 o’clock on the bezel, we find a luminous pip.
And lastly, it uses Seiko’s proprietary Hardlex crystal on top.
Seiko Solar Chronograph SSC017 dial
Moving on to the dial of the watch, it is evident that it is focused on the single most important part of a dive watch – legibility.
The dial is black, like a classic dive watch, and around the outer edge of the dial, it has an angled chapter ring on which the seconds and split seconds are printed in white. One level below the chapter ring is a raised ”plate” which integrated with the hour markers. And in turn, one level below this, we have the center of the dial. These three different levels provide depth to the dial and help make it more interesting. The center of the dial is the part that directs sunlight and ambient light to the movement, which has solar panels that generate energy for the batteries. This is what is Seiko’s Solar technology.
As mentioned, the hour markers are large and have polished metal frames around them. In addition, they also have a generous amount of Lumibrite applied to them to ensure a strong glow in the dark.
Being a chronograph, it has chronograph sub-dials, placed at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions. The sub-dials are quite large so they take up quite a bit of property on the dial, meaning it is not as clean as a non-chronograph dial. But.. they do serve a purpose…
The sub-dials measured in 24-hour, 60-minute, and sub-second intervals.
Just like the hour markers, it has large hands. The hour hand has a pointy edge and is relatively short but broad. The minutes hand has an arrow tip, and both have Lumibrite applied to them. The seconds hand has an arrow tip that has been painted blue to make it match with the subtle yet important blue accents of this watch.
Discreetly integrated between 4 and 5 o’clock, you’ll find a date window. Because it has a black background, it blends into the dial very well, which is a good thing. But it is still a practical function to have.
Seiko SSC017 movement
Being a solar watch, it means this watch is powered by a quartz movement. The benefit of the solar movement is that it does not need to have its movements replaced.
The chronograph function beats at 5 beats per second.
The movement has a power reserve of 6 months when fully charged, but have in mind that as you are wearing it, it will be charged.
The most devoted watch enthusiasts may dislike the idea of a quartz watch rather than a mechanical movement, but apart from the above-mentioned, it is also more accurate and affordable to maintain.
Bracelet
The watch is presented on a robust and bulky three-link bracelet with a broad polished middle link and brushed, small, side links. The middle links are also raised.
The bracelet has a folding clasp and goes very well together with the design of the watch. The clasp is also extendable to allow it to be worn on top of a wetsuit. It looks sporty and rugged, which is what Seiko is trying to achieve.
If you don’t like the bracelet, don’t worry. The case has drilled lugs which makes it easy to change the bracelet for straps, shall you wish to do so.
Specifications
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Water-Resistance: 200 meters/660 feet (ISO 6425 certified)
- Diameter: 43mm
- Chronograph: Sub-dials with 24-hour, 60-minute, and sub-second intervals.
- Power-reserve: 6 months
Conclusion
To conclude this article, the Seiko SSC017 is a sporty, robust, and well-built dive watch which has a robust presence on the wrist and features lots of interesting technology.
Despite being bulky, it is surprisingly versatile and works just as great as an everyday watch as a professional dive watch.
At this price point, it also really has a lot to offer. It has built quality, durability, impressive technology, and just overall great performance.
And lastly, its blue accents add some appeal to this watch and make it so much more appealing.
The Solar Chronograph SSC017 is available to order on Amazon.
